The Duchess of Cambridge was as elegant as ever today in a claret LK Bennett coat while meeting military supporters, servicemen and women, as part of London Poppy Day.

However, the glossy mane that inspired a million Chelsea blow-dries looked rather different: silver roots were clearly visible along the parting of her normally chestnut hair. She's also gone for a less bouncy 'do than usual, parted in the middle, rather than at the side.

In fact, the flat, middle-parted style she's chosen highlights the silvery strands coming through at her hairline. Hairdresser Daniel Galvin Jr comments: 'If you are going grey, it is important to part your hair where the grey does not show.'

Rebelling: However, Professor Beard said the Duchess occasionally rebels against her public image - as can be seen in this photograph taken last year, which shows streaks of grey in Kate's usually immaculate tresses.

However, it appears Kate doesn't care who spots the silvers. And why should she? She's probably got more important things on her mind.

Many new mothers, like Kate, find that their hair changes after they give birth.

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Greying hair is not normally directly associated with pregnancy, however, any form of stress can encourage it and can be a side effect of being pregnant or giving birth.

'If, when pregnant, you use an anaesthetic grey hairs may develop. It’s a huge shock to the system sometimes sends the hair bulb to sleep causing the hair to loose its natural pigmentation,' explains Galvin Jr.

'In my experience many pregnant women whose hair turns grey will start seeing their natural pigmentation come through within a few months.'

Sources say that the Duchess had, to her horror, started finding the odd
grey hair (‘stress highlights’, her friends joke) before her pregnancy

However, it seems more likely that
Kate's has been getting lighter for the last few years - common among
those with dark hair - and has simply decided not to cover it up.

Indeed, impeccably placed sources have whispered that the Duchess had, to her then horror, started finding the odd
stray grey (‘stress highlights’, her friends joke) before her pregnancy.

To combat these, she had organic vegetable-based dye and subtle low-lights applied during
regular four-hour visits to the Richard Ward Hair And Metrospa in
Chelsea.

Evidently, Kate
has let these sessions slip - not many new mothers, even royal ones, can
spare four hours at the salon when they've got a four-month-old to look
after.

'Going grey marks nature’s way of softening the hair colour
giving natural highlights as the skin pigmentation changes,' says Galvin Jr. 'I always
recommend using a semi-permanent colour with no ammonia or peroxide, to blend
the grey hair and tone it down slightly.'

However, Kate may want to
avoid any unnecessary chemicals: it could be that she's being very cautious about dying her hair while pregnant
or breastfeeding.

Many women stop colouring their hair
during pregnancy, with some waiting until at least 12 weeks after the birth of
their baby to begin again. This is for fear of the
chemicals used in many dyes being passed to the baby through
breast-feeding.

This time last year, pictured above, Kate's hair was noticeably darker, and parted at the side

However, the NHS says new mothers needn't avoid the salon:
'The chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly
toxic. Most research, although limited, shows that it’s safe to colour
your hair while pregnant.

'Some studies have found that very high doses of the chemicals in hair dyes may cause harm. However, these doses are massive compared to the very low amount of chemicals a woman is exposed to when colouring her hair.'

Celebrity hair stylist Errol Douglas said: 'I recommend vegetable dye and colour glosses to my clients when they're expecting. They're safe and take them through those months with a gentle solution to keeping roots at bay.'

Kate looked radiant in a calf-length red coat from LK Bennett as she met former and serving soldiers at Kensington Palace today

The Duchess of Cambridge prepares to meet staff and volunteers from the Royal British Legion's London Poppy Day Appeal

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled from Kensington palace to High Street Kensington this morning

Kate wore an outfit which matched the
colours of the Remembrance Day poppies: her claret coat is from LK
Bennett's autumn/winter 2011 collection

Often, women find their hair looks
thicker and shinier during pregnancy but hormonal changes kick in after
having a baby, as dermatologist Justine Hextall explains.

'Hair has three phases; growth, resting and shedding,' she says.

'Normally,
hair grows at the same rate that it falls out. But under the influence
of pregnancy hormones, more hairs remain in the growing phase,
particularly during the second and third trimester, which is why women
often notice hair becoming thicker as their pregnancy goes on.

'Usually, losing your hair after birth is just your hair going back to normal.'

The Duchess of Cambridge, who left her hair long
and loose, with blonde highlights (and a hint of grey) coming through
the chestnut, rides a 1960s Routemaster bus as part of the London Poppy
Day events

Crowds swarmed as Kate and William met poppy vendors outside High Street Kensington tube station today

The Duchess of Cambridge met members of the
Poppy Girls, daughters of military personnel who are releasing a charity
song in aid of the British Royal Legion, today at Kensington Palace